The White Mountains region surrounding Center Sandwich, New Hampshire sits at elevations ranging from 600 to 1,000 feet, creating a diverse camping landscape with cooler summer temperatures than coastal areas. The region experiences distinct seasonal changes, with July averages around 80°F during the day and 60°F at night. Most campgrounds in this area operate seasonally from mid-May through mid-October due to New Hampshire's winter weather patterns.
What to do
Hiking at Mount Shaw: Access panoramic views from the trailhead near Baker River Campground where campers can complete the 4-mile trail for excellent views. "Great places for families with good amenities. Pools, hot showers, and clean lots. There is a small store with all your last minute camping needs. Cut wood onsite to purchase," notes Chad G.
Kayaking on Lake Winnipesaukee: Launch from the shores at Long Island Bridge Campground where rental equipment is available. "They had great rent spots, amazing employees, and perfect kayaks that we could rent for a Sunday on the water," shares Madison K., adding that "the spot looked like a post card."
Swimming in White Lake: The clear water at White Lake State Park Campground offers a shallow swimming area with mountain backdrop. "The lake is clear, the swimming area is shallow for quite a distance so you can feel comfortable with kids, and there is a separate boat launch area," states Jean C., who also notes that "if you don't have your own boats, they offer rentals of kayaks and paddle boats."
What campers like
Private yurt camping: Center Sandwich yurt accommodations at Waterville Campground provide wooded seclusion with natural surroundings. "My two teenagers and I stayed for four nights in site #17. The site is large enough for us to spread out our two tents, changing/shower tent and two hammocks. The pine needle floor was soft and clean," says Heather B., who appreciated that "a path leads straight down to the river, which we can hear running from the tents at night."
Clean facilities: The bathhouses at most campgrounds receive regular maintenance. As Abby from Harbor Hill Camping Area notes, "The campground is beautiful and well maintained. Landscaped throughout. Pool is always crystal clear. Pool area is large and inviting."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Loons and other wildlife appear frequently. "Waking up to the sound of the loons in the morning was wonderful," shares Michael K. about his waterfront site. Amanda adds, "We were able to hear the loons calling on the lake at night too."
What you should know
Seasonal considerations: Most campgrounds operate from May through October only. "We stayed for a winter weekend, they have a few transient sites that can accommodate RV's year round. There are a ton of full time seasonal RV's as many people use this campground as a base for snow machining," notes Andrew P. about one of the few year-round options.
Noise levels vary by campground: Some sites experience road noise or neighbor noise. "A friend and I decided to camp here before a backpacking trip in the Whites... We had children on several sides, and a rowdy group of adult men on another side. Quiet hours are supposed to start at 10:00pm, but our rowdy male neighbors were up, playing music, talking loudly, and singing, until midnight," reports Sable W.
Bug preparation essential: Black flies and mosquitoes can be problematic in early summer. "Bring your bug spray, citronella candles and smoky firewood- the bugs here are no joke. But if you come prepared you can get by with minimal bites," advises Angela T.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Some campgrounds offer better play facilities than others. At Covered Bridge Campground, "Sites were fairly standard- dirt floor with gravel packed in around the circle fire rings. We grilled right on the grate provided. Big picnic tables are provided on each site. All sites are wooded with plenty of trees to get a good tarp, and lots of options for hammock placement."
Lake swimming options: Look for shallow entry points for younger children. Douglas L. mentioned, "The beach was clean and had lots of ducks swimming near by. The kids enjoyed ice cream tacos from the snack shack."
Bathroom proximity: Choose sites near facilities when camping with children. STephanie C. shares, "This is a VERY LARGE campground, it will be a trek to get to the bathrooms or showers or swimming... I had a site next to the bathroom, which was very helpful and I felt confident letting my children go to the bathroom alone."
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Many waterfront sites require additional leveling work. Michael K. notes, "Most of the waterfront sites are back in, and the only level part of the site is away from the deck and water. My wife wanted to get the camper up close to the deck so our area under the awning was close to that, which meant I had a lot more leveling to do. And when I say a lot, I mean my 5" drive on leveling blocks weren't enough and I had to put them on top of a 2x8 to level the camper out."
Internet connectivity: Wi-Fi quality varies significantly between campgrounds. "The wifi actually was decent at this site - I'm surprised because 8 out of 10 campgrounds I go to that claim wifi, its slow and unusable," reports one camper.
Site access limitations: Some campgrounds have tight entry roads. At Eastern Slope Camping Area, "Sites are really close together and hard to maneuver a RV into," according to Melissa S., though she notes that "Staff are wonderful and very nice."
